Union of Arab Football Associations

Union of Arab Football Associations
الإتحاد العربي لكرة القدم
	AFC members CAF members
Formation	27 January 1974; 52 years ago
Type	Sports organization
Headquarters	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Region served	Arab world
Members	22 members Saudi Arabia ; Algeria ; Bahrain ; Comoros ; Djibouti ; Egypt ; Iraq ; Jordan ; Kuwait ; Lebanon ; Libya ; Mauritania ; Morocco ; Oman ; Palestine ; Qatar ; Somalia ; Sudan ; Syria ; Tunisia ; United Arab Emirates ; Yemen ;
Official language	Arabic
President	Abdulaziz bin Turki
Website	uafa-ac.com

The Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA; Arabic: الاتحاد العربي لكرة القدم; French: Union des associations de football arabe) is the governing body of football in the Arab League.^[1]^[2]^[3] Established in 1974, UAFA is an independent body comprising 22 member associations: twelve from Asia and ten from Africa.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

UAFA organises a number of competitions, most notably the Arab Cup for national teams (which has been organised by FIFA since 2021) and the Arab Club Champions Cup for club teams.^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]

History

The Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) was established on 27 January 1974 in Tripoli, Libya.^[12] In 1976, a general assembly was held in Damascus, Syria, and the football association headquarters were transferred to their present seat in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.^[13]

Presidents

Period	Name
1974–1976	Abdul Latif Booker
1976–1999	Faisal bin Fahd
1999–2011	Sultan bin Fahd
2011–2014	Nawaf bin Faisal
2014–2017	Turki bin Khalid
2017–2019	Turki Al-Sheikh
2019–present	Abdulaziz bin Turki

Member associations

All UAFA members from the Asian Football Confederation are also members of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF). All WAFF and Union of North African Football (UNAF) members are UAFA members.

Country	Confederation	Sub-confederation	Year
Algeria	CAF	UNAF	1974
Bahrain	AFC	WAFF	1976
Comoros	CAF	COSAFA	2003
Djibouti	CAF	CECAFA	1998
Egypt	CAF	UNAF	1974
Iraq	AFC	WAFF	1974
Jordan	AFC	WAFF	1974
Kuwait	AFC	WAFF	1976
Lebanon	AFC	WAFF	1978
Libya	CAF	UNAF	1974
Mauritania	CAF	UNAF	1989
Morocco	CAF	UNAF	1976
Oman	AFC	WAFF	1978
Palestine	AFC	WAFF	1974
Qatar	AFC	WAFF	1976
Saudi Arabia	AFC	WAFF	1974
Somalia	CAF	CECAFA	1974
Sudan	CAF	CECAFA	1978
Syria	AFC	WAFF	1974
Tunisia	CAF	UNAF	1976
United Arab Emirates	AFC	WAFF	1974
Yemen	AFC	WAFF	1978

Potential members

Somaliland SMD

Somaliland Football Association plans to join CECAFA with FIFA membership and Union of Arab Football Associations membership In coming years

Competitions

Men's senior

Men's youth

Women's senior and youth

Clubs

Current title holders

Men's national teams
Competition	Edition	Champions	Title	Runners-up	Next edition	Dates
Arab Cup	2025	Morocco	2nd	Jordan	2029	TBD
Arab Cup U-20	2022	Saudi Arabia	2nd	Egypt	2026	23 July - 8 August
Arab Cup U-17	2022	Algeria	1st	Morocco	2026	21 April - 7 May
Football at the Arab Games	2023	Saudi Arabia	1st	Syria	2027	TBD
Arab Futsal Cup	2023	Morocco	3rd	Kuwait	2027	26 October - 6 November
Arab Beach Soccer Championship	2023	Egypt	2nd	Oman	2027	6–16 November
Women's national teams
Arab Women's Cup	2021	Jordan	1st	Tunisia	2027	2–18 September
Arab U-20 Women's Cup					TBD	TBD
Arab U-17 Women's Cup	2015	Lebanon	1st	Djibouti	2026	26 March - 11 April
Men's club teams
Arab Club Champions Cup	2023 (final)	Al Nassr	1st	Al Hilal	2027	21 July - 7 August
Arab Club Cup Futsal					2026	1–11 October
Women's club teams
Women's Arab Club Cup					TBD	TBD

FIFA World Rankings

Men's national teams

Rankings are calculated by FIFA.^[14]

UAFA	FIFA	Country	Points	+/−	Confederation
1	8	Morocco	1755.87	0	CAF
2	34	Algeria	1517.68	1	CAF
3	35	Egypt	1515.18	1	CAF
4	41	Tunisia	1494.86	1	CAF
5	54	Qatar	1454.96	3	AFC
6	58	Iraq	1436.94	0	AFC
7	60	Saudi Arabia	1429.48	0	AFC
8	64	Jordan	1388.93	2	AFC
9	68	United Arab Emirates	1370.47	1	AFC
10	79	Oman	1313.46	0	AFC
11	86	Syria	1282.62	1	AFC
12	90	Bahrain	1258.53	1	AFC
13	95	Palestine	1244.73	1	AFC
14	108	Lebanon	1187.96	1	AFC
15	109	Comoros	1186.41	1	CAF
16	111	Libya	1183.06	0	CAF
17	115	Mauritania	1171.35	1	CAF
18	117	Sudan	1154.44	1	CAF
19	135	Kuwait	1105.1	0	AFC
20	149	Yemen	1049.49	1	AFC
21	196	Djibouti	847.03	0	CAF
22	200	Somalia	828.9	0	CAF

Last updated 22 December 2025

Women's national teams

Rankings are calculated by FIFA.^[15]

UAFA	FIFA	Country	Points	+/−	Confederation
1	66	Morocco	1399.536	2	CAF
2	73	Algeria	1322.267	7	CAF
3	76	Jordan	1297.824	0	AFC
4	98	Tunisia	1197.497	2	CAF
5	101	Egypt	1193.877	6	CAF
6	110	Bahrain	1169.301	1	AFC
7	120	United Arab Emirates	1132.146	3	AFC
8	126	Palestine	1102.886	3	AFC
9	130	Lebanon	1100.946	5	AFC
10	161	Saudi Arabia	934.252	3	AFC
11	162	Syria	931.424	2	AFC
12	166	Iraq	910.493	0	AFC
13	187	Libya	739.938	0	CAF
14	190	Comoros	728.71	2	CAF
15	197	Djibouti	598.384	2	CAF
-	-	Kuwait			AFC
-	-	Qatar			AFC
-	-	Sudan			CAF
-	-	Mauritania			CAF
-	-	Somalia			CAF

Last updated 11 December 2025

International competitions participation

Legend

— CAF teams
— AFC teams

1st — Champions
2nd — Runners-up
3rd — Third place
4th — Fourth place
SF – Semi-final (no third place match)
QF — Quarterfinals (1934–1938, 1954–1970, and 1986–present: knockout round of 8)
R2 — Round 2 (1974–1978, second group stage, top 8; 1982: second group stage, top 12; 1986–2022: knockout round of 16)
R1 — Round 1 (1930, 1950–1970 and 1986-present: group stage; 1934–1938: knockout round of 16; 1974–1982: first group stage)

Q — Qualified for upcoming tournament
•• — Qualified but withdrew
• — Did not qualify
× — Did not enter / Withdrew / Banned / Entry not accepted by FIFA
— Hosts
— Not affiliated to FIFA

FIFA World Cup

Total	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	3	2	2	3	2	2	1	1	4	4	7			32
Team	1930 (13)	1934 (16)	1938 (15)	1950 (13)	1954 (16)	1958 (16)	1962 (16)	1966 (16)	1970 (16)	1974 (16)	1978 (16)	1982 (24)	1986 (24)	1990 (24)	1994 (24)	1998 (32)	2002 (32)	2006 (32)	2010 (32)	2014 (32)	2018 (32)	2022 (32)	2026 (48)	2030 (48)	2034 (48)	Total	inclusive WC Qual.
Algeria	Part of France^[16]							×	•	•	•	R1 13th	R1 22nd	•	•	•	•	•	R1 28th	R2 14th	•	•	Q			5	15
Egypt	×	R1 13th	×	×	•	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	•	R1 20th	•	•	•	•	•	•	R1 31st	•	Q			4	16
Iraq				×	×	×	×	×	×	•	×	•	R1 23rd	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	Q			2	12
Jordan				×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	Q			1	12
Kuwait				×	×	×	×	×	×	•	•	R1 21st	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•			1	13
Morocco	Part of France						•	×	R1 14th	•	•	•	R2 11th	•	R1 23rd	R1 18th	•	•	•	•	R1 27th	4th	Q	Q		7	16
Qatar										x	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	R1 32nd	Q			2	13
Saudi Arabia						×	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	•	R2 12th	R1 28th	R1 32nd	R1 T-28th	•	•	R1 26th	R1 25th	Q		Q	7	13
Tunisia	Part of France						•	×	•	•	R1 9th	•	•	•	•	R1 26th	R1 29th	R1 24th	•	•	R1 24th	R1 21st	Q			7	16
United Arab Emirates											×	×	•	R1 24th	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•			1	10

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Team	1991 (12)	1995 (12)	1999 (16)	2003 (16)	2007 (16)	2011 (16)	2015 (24)	2019 (24)	2023 (32)	2027 (32)	Apps.
Morocco	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	R2 12th		1/9
Total (1 team)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		1

Olympic Games

Nation	00	04	08	12	20	24	28	36	48	52	56	60	64	68	72	76	80	84	88	92	96	00	04	08	12	16	20	24	Years
Algeria	Part of France												–	–	–		8	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14	–	–	2
Egypt^[17]				–	8	8	4	=9	=11	=9	w/o	12	4	–	–	–	w/o	8	–	12	–	–	–	–	8	–	8	4	13
Iraq									–			–	–	–			5	14	9	–	–	–	4	–	–	12	–	10	6
Kuwait														–	–	–	6	–	–	16	–	12	–	–	–	IOA	–	–	3
Morocco				Part of France								–	13	w/o	8	–		12	–	15	–	16	=10	–	11	–	–	3	8
Qatar																		15	–	8	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2
Saudi Arabia															–	–	w/o	16	–	–	15	–	–	–	–	–	15	–	3
Sudan	Part of the United Kingdom											–		–	15			–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
Syria									–			UAR		–	–		14	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
Tunisia	Part of France											15	–	–	–	–		–	13	–	14	–	12	–	–	–	–	–	4
United Arab Emirates																		–	–	–	–	–	–	–	15	–	–	–	1
Total nations	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	2	2	0	2	0	4	5	2	4	2	2	3	0	3	2	2	3	44

FIFA Arab Cup

Team	1963 (5)	1964 (5)	1966 (10)	1985 (6)	1988 (10)	1992 (6)	1998 (12)	2002 (10)	2012 (11)	2021 (16)	2025 (16)	2029 (16)	Total
Algeria	×	×	×	×	GS	×	GS	×	×	1st	QF		4
Bahrain	×	×	GS	2nd	GS	×	×	2nd	GS	GS	GS		7
Comoros	×	×	x	x	x	×	×	x	x	•	GS		1
Djibouti	×	×	x	x	x	×	×	x	x	•	•		0
Egypt	×	×	×	×	3rd	1st	GS	×	GS	4th	GS		6
Iraq	×	1st	1st	1st	1st	×	×	×	3rd	GS	QF		7
Jordan	GS	GS	GS	GS	4th	GS	GS	SF	×	QF	2nd		10
Kuwait	4th	3rd	GS	×	GS	3rd	3rd	GS	GS	•	GS		9
Lebanon	3rd	4th	4th	×	GS	×	GS	GS	GS	GS	•		8
Libya	×	2nd	3rd	×	×	×	GS	×	2nd	•	•		4
Mauritania	×	×	×	GS	•	×	×	×	×	GS	•		2
Morocco	×	×	×	×	×	×	GS	SF	1st	QF	1st		5
Oman	×	×	GS	×	×	×	×	×	×	QF	GS		3
Palestine	×	×	GS	×	×	GS	•	GS	GS	GS	QF		6
Qatar	×	×	×	4th	×	×	2nd	×	×	3rd	GS	Q	5
Saudi Arabia	×	×	×	3rd	GS	2nd	1st	1st	4th	GS	3rd		8
Somalia	×	×	x	x	x	×	×	x	x	•	•		0
Sudan	×	×	×	•	×	×	GS	GS	GS	GS	GS		5
Syria	2nd	×	2nd	×	2nd	4th	GS	GS	×	GS	QF		8
Tunisia	1st	×	×	×	GS	×	×	×	×	2nd	GS		4
United Arab Emirates	×	×	×	×	×	×	4th	×	×	QF	3rd		3
Yemen	×	×	GS	×	×	×	×	GS	GS	•	•		3

Note: in the 2025 tournament, the third place match was abandoned. FIFA later declared that both participating teams would share third place in the tournament.^[18]

Arab Games

Team	1953	1957	1961	1965	1976	1985	1992	1997	1999	2007	2011	2023	2027	Years
Algeria						3rd						4th		2
Bahrain									GS		1st			2
Egypt	1st		2nd	1st			1st			1st				5
Iraq		GS		GS		1st			2nd		GS			5
Jordan	4th	GS			GS		GS	1st	1st		2nd			7
Kuwait			GS				3rd	4th			3rd			4
Lebanon	GS	3rd	4th	GS				3rd	GS			GS		7
Libya	3rd	GS	3rd	3rd		GS		GS	SF	2nd	GS			9
Mauritania					GS	GS		GS				GS		4
Morocco		4th	1st		1st	2nd								4
Oman				GS				GS	GS		GS	GS		5
Palestine	GS			4th	GS		GS		SF		4th	GS		7
Qatar									GS		GS			2
Saudi Arabia		GS	GS		2nd	4th	2nd		GS	3rd	GS	1st	Q	9
Somalia						GS								1
Sudan				2nd						GS	GS	3rd		4
Syria	2nd	1st		GS	3rd	GS	4th	2nd	GS			2nd		9
Tunisia		2nd				GS								2
United Arab Emirates						GS		GS	GS	4th				4
Yemen				GS	4th	GS								3
Total	6	8	6	9	7	11	6	8	11	5	10	8

Defunct competitions

FIFA Confederations Cup

Team	1992 (4)	1995 (6)	1997 (8)	1999 (8)	2001 (8)	2003 (8)	2005 (8)	2009 (8)	2013 (8)	2017 (8)	Years
Egypt	•	•	•	GS	•	•	•	GS	•	•	2
Iraq	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	GS	•	•	1
Saudi Arabia	2nd	GS	GS	4th	•	•	•	•	•	•	4
Tunisia	•	•	•	•	•	•	GS	•	•	•	1
United Arab Emirates	•	•	GS	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	1
Total	1	1	2	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	10

References

↑ "The participants in the #FIFAWFC2019". FIFA.com. 1 June 2019.
↑ "Jordan Football Association". FIFA.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
↑ "Djiboutian Football Federation". FIFA.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
↑ "About Us". UAFA-ac.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
↑ "AFC and UAFA sign Memorandum of Understanding". Asian Football Confederation. 1 May 2015.
↑ "Shaikh Salman looks for more cooperation with UAFA". Asian Football Confederation. 14 May 2017.
↑ "AFC and SAFF Presidents hold productive discussions on football development". Asian Football Confederation. 26 May 2018.
↑ "Morocco shock favourites to lift cup". FIFA.com. 7 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01.
↑ "FIFA Arab Cup 2021 – Teams – Lebanon". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ "USM Alger 3-2 Al Arabi (UAFA Club Cup 2012/13)". FIFA.com. 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ "How Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane have bonded at Al Nassr". FIFA.com. 8 August 2023.
↑ "مستندات وصور عن تاسيس الاتحاد العربي لكرة القدم". Libya Sport TV (Fb) (in Arabic). Redaction. 22 December 2019.
↑ "Union of Arab Football Associations celebrates the 50th anniversary of foundation". uafa-ac.com. Redaction. 17 January 2024.
↑ "Latest Men's World Ranking". FIFA. Redaction. 16 October 2025.
↑ "Latest Women's World Ranking". FIFA. Redaction. 7 August 2025.
↑ Algeria gained independence in 1962, but they joined with other African nations to boycott the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Thus the 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification was their first participation.
↑ Egypt team represented the United Arab Republic with Syria in 1960 finishing the 12th and alone in 1964 finishing the 4th.
↑ Ward, Kenley (18 December 2025). "Unique decision! FIFA announces verdict on abandoned third-place match between Saudi Arabia and UAE at the Arab Cup". Dailysports.net. Retrieved 18 December 2025.

External links

Official website

[1] "The participants in the #FIFAWFC2019". FIFA.com. 1 June 2019.

[2] "Jordan Football Association". FIFA.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[3] "Djiboutian Football Federation". FIFA.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[4] "About Us". UAFA-ac.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.

[5] "AFC and UAFA sign Memorandum of Understanding". Asian Football Confederation. 1 May 2015.

[6] "Shaikh Salman looks for more cooperation with UAFA". Asian Football Confederation. 14 May 2017.

[7] "AFC and SAFF Presidents hold productive discussions on football development". Asian Football Confederation. 26 May 2018.

[8] "Morocco shock favourites to lift cup". FIFA.com. 7 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01.

[9] "FIFA Arab Cup 2021 – Teams – Lebanon". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[10] "USM Alger 3-2 Al Arabi (UAFA Club Cup 2012/13)". FIFA.com. 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[11] "How Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane have bonded at Al Nassr". FIFA.com. 8 August 2023.

[12] "مستندات وصور عن تاسيس الاتحاد العربي لكرة القدم". Libya Sport TV (Fb) (in Arabic). Redaction. 22 December 2019.

[13] "Union of Arab Football Associations celebrates the 50th anniversary of foundation". uafa-ac.com. Redaction. 17 January 2024.

[14] "Latest Men's World Ranking". FIFA. Redaction. 16 October 2025.

[15] "Latest Women's World Ranking". FIFA. Redaction. 7 August 2025.

[16] Algeria gained independence in 1962, but they joined with other African nations to boycott the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Thus the 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification was their first participation.

[17] Egypt team represented the United Arab Republic with Syria in 1960 finishing the 12th and alone in 1964 finishing the 4th.

[18] Ward, Kenley (18 December 2025). "Unique decision! FIFA announces verdict on abandoned third-place match between Saudi Arabia and UAE at the Arab Cup". Dailysports.net. Retrieved 18 December 2025.

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